Jax History Podcast

Ethan Gregory

Uncover the real history of Northeast Florida with deep dives into the stories that shaped Jacksonville and its surrounding areas. Moving far beyond the basic tourist timelines, this podcast delivers rigorous historical analysis and meticulously researched facts. From the pre-colonial era and the clash of empires to the Great Fire of 1901 and modern consolidation, we break down the political, economic, and cultural forces that built the River City. If you want a thorough, unvarnished look at the complex legacy of the First Coast, subscribe for a masterclass in local history.

Episodes

  1. 2d ago

    Hollywood of the South

    The "Winter Film Capital of the World" Before Hollywood, California became the center of the American film industry, the title belonged to Jacksonville, Florida. In the early 20th century (beginning around 1908), pioneering motion picture companies from the Northeast and Midwest—such as Kalem, Thanhouser, Edison, and Vim—flocked to Jacksonville. The city offered a mild winter climate that kept cameras from freezing and allowed for year-round outdoor shooting, as well as a modern downtown and diverse natural landscapes. Jacksonville quickly became a massive hub for silent film production, hosting some 30 production companies at its peak and helping to launch the careers of legendary performers like Oliver "Babe" Hardy and the internationally renowned comedian Marcel Perez.The Bust and Exodus to Hollywood Despite the economic boom, the relationship between the filmmakers and Jacksonville residents quickly soured. The film crews were notoriously rowdy and disruptive—they regularly pulled fake fire alarms to film the racing fire trucks, drove cars into the St. Johns River, and turned the city's streets into chaotic backlots on Sundays, offending the conservative, church-going public. In 1917, the city elected an anti-film mayor who eliminated business incentives and vowed to curb the industry's excesses. Combined with rampant price-gouging by local merchants and the simultaneous emergence of Los Angeles as a viable production center, the studios packed their bags and left for the West Coast by the end of the decade.

    1h 4m

  2. 3d ago

    The Battle of Olustee

    The podcasts provide an in-depth look at the Battle of Olustee, the largest and bloodiest American Civil War engagement fought in Florida on February 20, 1864. The episodes details how Union Brigadier General Truman Seymour hastily advanced his 5,500 troops into a meeting engagement against Confederate forces led by Brigadier Generals Joseph Finegan and Alfred Colquitt. Instead of organizing a coordinated assault, Seymour committed his brigades piecemeal into the open pine barren, allowing the Confederates to continually overlap the Union flanks.

    35 min

  3. Jun 30

    Jacksonville Rising: The Great Fire of 1901

    This podcast highlights Jacksonville’s most tragic event: The Great Fire of May 3, 1901. Ignited by a stray chimney spark at the Cleveland Fibre Factory, the fire rapidly spread through dry Spanish moss. Fanned by strong winds and exacerbated by a severe drought, it tore through downtown, destroying roughly 2,400 structures and leaving 10,000 residents homeless. The episode emphasizes the resilience of the community and the subsequent architectural renaissance led by Henry John Klutho. Inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright and the Prairie School, Klutho transformed a blank canvas into a modern city, utilizing innovative materials like reinforced concrete. Notable architectural masterpieces discussed include the St. James Building (now City Hall) and the Florida Life Building. Ultimately, the podcast tracks Jacksonville's steady growth and transformation into the 21st century.

    44 min

  4. Jun 7

    The Gainesville Student Murders and Danny Rolling

    Danny Rolling, dubbed the "Gainesville Ripper," was an American serial killer who murdered eight people between 1989 and 1990. Driven by childhood abuse and a desire for notoriety, his crimes later inspired the horror film Scream. In November 1989, Rolling committed his first murders in his hometown of Shreveport, Louisiana, killing Tom Grissom, his daughter Julie, and grandson Sean. In August 1990, while on the run, he terrorized Gainesville, Florida, by brutally murdering five college students: Sonja Larson, Christina Powell, Christa Hoyt, Tracy Paules, and Manny Taboada. Rolling broke into their apartments, stabbed them, and staged the female victims in lewd positions, even decapitating Hoyt. Initially, police suspected student Edward Humphrey. However, a tip from a Louisiana acquaintance and a matching tape recorder found at a local bank robbery campsite linked Rolling to the crimes. His type B blood matched evidence at both locations. Rolling pleaded guilty in 1994 and was executed by lethal injection in Florida in 2006.

    22 min
  • 4 Episodes

About

Uncover the real history of Northeast Florida with deep dives into the stories that shaped Jacksonville and its surrounding areas. Moving far beyond the basic tourist timelines, this podcast delivers rigorous historical analysis and meticulously researched facts. From the pre-colonial era and the clash of empires to the Great Fire of 1901 and modern consolidation, we break down the political, economic, and cultural forces that built the River City. If you want a thorough, unvarnished look at the complex legacy of the First Coast, subscribe for a masterclass in local history.

Information

  • Creator
    Ethan Gregory
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    4
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ethan Gregory
  • Show Website
    Jax History Podcast